Bon Appetit: How To Make Your Favorite Thanksgiving Dishes Healthier Featured

The bitter dilemma crops up each and every Thanksgiving holiday: stay true to your healthy eating resolve -- or throw caution and calories to the wind? But guess what: There is a happy medium. And we're going to show you how. We've figured out how to make common Thanksgiving dishes (from green bean casserole to sausage stuffing) a bit less likely to stretch your waistline.

The Gravy

No turkey should touch the table without a gravy boat as its wingman. Turkey drippings are what gives the sauce its flavor, but they're not exactly healthy. So keep the rest of the ingredients light. Aim to use minimal butter (if any), and if you've got roasted carrots and onions in the bottom of the pan, add them for a chunkier, vegetable-heavy gravy. A dash of wine, white or red, apple cider, or liquor will also add depth without adding fat.<br> <br> <strong>TRY THESE RECIPES</strong><br> <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2010/11/fresh_fennel_pan_gravy?mbid=synd_huffpo" target="_hplink">Fresh Fennel Pan Gravy </a><br> <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2008/11/roast_heritage_turkey_with_cider_gravy?mbid=synd_huffpo" target="_hplink">Roast Heritage Turkey with Bacon-Herb Butter and Cider Gravy</a><br> <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2008/11/salted_roast_turkey_with_orange_fall_spices_and_sherry_gravy?mbid=synd_huffpo" target="_hplink">Salted Roast Turkey with Orange, Fall Spices, and Sherry Gravy</a><br> <br> <em>Photo via Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gloryfoods/6245311386/sizes/z/in/photostream/">Glory Foods</a></em>

The Dessert

Let's be honest: There's not so much you can do to make a fantastic Thanksgiving dessert super-healthy. That said, you can focus on fruit-forward desserts that eschew extra fat. Apple or pear tarts, for example, are sneaky, gorgeous ways of getting around a pie's extra layer of crust. Pumpkin pie is also a good choice; whether canned or fresh, pumpkin contains loads of disease-fighting antioxidants, and it's relatively low-cal (at least until you add sugar and heavy cream). Pecan pie is tried and true, but it weighs in like brick. Go for a small sliver if you must.<br> <br> <strong>TRY THESE RECIPES</strong><br> <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2012/11/grandmas-pumpkin-pie?mbid=synd_huffpo" target="_hplink">Grandma's Pumpkin Pie</a><br> <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2003/10/rustic_apple_tart_with_honey_dates_and_nuts?mbid=synd_huffpo" target="_hplink">Rustic Apple Tart with Honey, Nuts and Dates</a><br> <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2006/12/spiced_cranberry_pear_tart?mbid=synd_huffpo" target="_hplink">Spiced Cranberry Pear Tart</a><br> <br> <em>Photo via Flickr user <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevingessner/3066989890/sizes/z/in/photostream/">kevingessner</a></em>